Approved Cables Initiative (ACI) has been alerted to a batch of low smoke flex, found with a ‘BASEC approved’ sticker on its packaging that is not BASEC approved and this has been brought to BASEC’s attention.
The cable is from an overseas manufacturer and believed to have been supplied via one UK distributor.
BASEC (British Approvals Service for Cables) has advised ACI that the manufacturer has taken action to prevent recurrence and has contacted their customer. BASEC has reported that the distributor took delivery of the cable several months ago and that all affected cable has been sold and may well have been installed. The cable was subject to a current HAR approval but not a BASEC approval.
ACI and BASEC are advising distributors and installers/contractors they should check incoming product to make sure it is correctly and accurately marked, labelled and supplied against their orders. If they have ordered approved product they should obtain copies of the relevant approvals for their records along with the appropriate CE marking information e.g. EC Declaration of Conformity.
“ACI and BASEC are advising distributors and installers/contractors they should check incoming product to make sure it is correctly and accurately marked, labelled and supplied against their orders.”
The ACI is reminding contractors, when purchasing cable, to be vigilant and to look for third party approval. In this instance, the BASEC mark would have been stamped on the cable itself if it were a BASEC approved cable. Additionally the BASEC logo/label on packaging and drums should have a licence number of the manufacturer that can be verified via BASEC’s website.
ACI recommends contractors should:
- Look for BS or other relevant standard number
- Ensure it has a cable reference number or UK cable code
- Check number of cores and nominal cross sectional area
- Detail your order with quantity and lengths of cable required
- Note the manufacturer’s details for every drum
- Confirm traceability in your purchase
- Only purchase third party approved cable and check for the correct cable mark
- Add specific technical requirements to your order
- Include delivery details
A full list of BASEC approved cables can be found at www.basec.org.uk.
